We Didn't Get the Wedding We Wanted
But that’s exactly why we do what we do now.
We’re Dan and Laura, husband and wife, elopement photographers, parents, and former rule-followers.
For most of our lives, we were taught that love had to look a very specific way. That there were rules and values you just don’t question. That weddings were about tradition, about family, about religion.
We met at a small Bible college, both raised in fundamentalist Christian communities where appearances mattered and expectations were heavy. So when we got married in 2016, we followed the script we’d been handed… the big, traditional wedding, the pressure to fill a guest list with people we weren’t close to, the stress of performance instead of being present.
After it was over, we both felt strongly, that wasn’t us. That wasn’t what love should feel like. And it definitely wasn’t the way we wanted to start our marriage.
We wish someone had told us we had options. That we could have done something intentional, intimate, and real. That our wedding didn’t have to revolve around some religious or traditional symbolism. It could be about the commitment we were making to each other.
We didn’t know that back then. Now we do. And now, we help other couples see it too.
This Isn't Just About Photos. This Is About Authenticity.
Shortly after we got married, we started photographing other people’s love stories. We were drawn to the real moments, capturing couples being truly present, because that’s what we felt like we missed on our own wedding day.
At the time, Dan was working full-time at a nonprofit while helping Laura build the photography business on the side. In 2019, that changed when he lost his job in company restructure. It was another reminder that following the rules isn’t always what’s best for you.
So we doubled down on the life we were building, one rooted in honesty, creativity, and choice. By 2017, that shift had already become a real business: The Pinckards. We stopped chasing big, traditional weddings and stopped trying to appeal to everyone. We started focusing on elopements and intimate celebrations, for people who, like us, just wanted something true.
What We Believe
- Your wedding day shouldn’t feel like a performance.
- You don’t need to invite people who aren’t a part of your life.
- You don’t have to follow traditions that don’t fit.
- And you don’t need permission to live your truth.
So Here's What We Do Now
We help couples plan intentional elopements and small weddings in beautiful places. We photograph moments that feel real, not posed or forced. We help you protect your peace, your boundaries, and your story.
And maybe most importantly, we give you the permission we wish someone had given us: the permission to do it your way. Because your love deserves to be honored, not hidden under the expectations of people who say they care about you.
If the wedding industry has never quite felt built for you...
If you’ve felt overwhelmed by family pressure, or you’re wanting a wedding day that feels freeing instead of daunting, you’re exactly the kind of couple we love working with.
Let’s create a wedding day that actually feels like you. One that gives you a story to tell. Memories for a lifetime.